When Bertrand Beaulieu was asked by Carabins coaches in the summer of 2019 if he wanted to change position in order to see ground faster, the 23-year-old did not hesitate for long before accepting.
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Two years later, the criminology student has no regrets about his decision since he is comfortably installed at the top of Quebec university football with 543 yards gained by land.
“There were a lot of injuries among the carriers and there was a surplus of players on the defensive line. My choice was easy. I had also played this position in my youth and in college football with the Nomades de Montmorency. ”
The fact remains that a change of position so late in such a high caliber of play can sometimes prove to be less profitable for certain athletes in the same situation. The main person concerned has always shown great confidence in his potential.
“I have great natural aptitudes. I have a good build and I run fast. I still had to develop my vision, but I always thought that I would be able to impose myself. I thank my trainer Jason Hogan. He had a big say in my development and I think we can now say that the experience is positive. ”
Drive machine
If the first thing we notice is the imposing six-foot-two, 230-pound physique of the number 48 of the Carabins, Beaulieu assures us that this is not his greatest quality as a football player.
“I never give up on the pitch, I have a lion mentality. I love to train and I think that’s what defines me the best as a player. Football is a big priority in my life and I love to put the effort into accomplishing my goals. This is the reason for my success. ”
Physical style
Rouge et Or coach Glen Constantin compared the Montreal forward to a Quebec varsity version of the prolific Tennessee Titans’ NFL player Derrick Henry. A comparison that the Carabins athlete does not rule out.
“I like to run vertically and finish my runs physically. Derrick Henry and Najee Harris are carriers that I particularly like in the NFL. They are complete and I think I have proven that I can do the job in the air as well. ”
The athlete native of Port-au-Prince ends the interview by specifying that he is very anxious to rub shoulders with Rouge et Or.
“This is the part of the year. It’s always fun to play against Laval. I am ready, whatever the needs of my team. I’m training for that. ”
Unchanged perception
Martin Chevalier archive photo
Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal has recorded 2.5 quarterback sacks since the start of the season.
Even though the Rouge et Or offense has unlocked with 136 points scored in three games since the last game between the two rivals and the attack of coordinator Justin Éthier made a change of quarterback, the Carabins defense does not. not see a big jump in the Laval team.
Veteran Carabins defensive lineman Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal assures that the identity of the Rouge et Or offense is very similar to previous years.
“It’s still the Rouge et Or offense that I’ve always seen in my career. A well balanced attack that is well trained. The arrival of Arnaud Desjardins in the offensive does not change much strategically for us. We are not used to building a game plan based on stopping a single athlete on the other side. ”
The mobility of Desjardins does not seem to be too much of a concern for the Montreal defense either. André-Grasset’s product mentions that the discipline of applying pressure on the opposing quarterback is already an integral part of the Carabins’ defensive philosophy.
The kinesiology student also recalls the importance for his training of stopping the ground game of the visiting club.
“They’ve been having success with the land game lately and they can bring in some extra big guys to run well with the ball. It will be up to us to respond and be very physical. It will be very positive if we are able to stop ground play to force them to throw. ”
Concentration and excitement
Even though the defensive end is in his fourth season, he honestly admits that he never tires of the rivalry against the Rouge et Or.
“There is always a little extra excitement. I feel a great regrouping of my whole unit during the installation phases this week. I speak for the whole team, but everyone is looking forward to playing this game. ”